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President of the Republic of Poland addresses the National Assembly

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President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej addresses the National Assembly (1 / 6)

President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej addresses the National AssemblyPresident of the Republic of Poland Andrzej addresses the National AssemblyPresident of the Republic of Poland Andrzej addresses the National AssemblyPresident of the Republic of Poland Andrzej addresses the National AssemblyPresident of the Republic of Poland Andrzej addresses the National AssemblyPresident of the Republic of Poland Andrzej addresses the National Assembly

Addressing the National Assembly on the 150th anniversary of the birth of Poland's independence hero Jozef Pilsudski, President Andrzej Duda said:

"Today, we are launching the observances of a big celebration of freedom".

Alluding to next year's 100th anniversary of Polish independence, the President explained: "Poland's independence centenary will give us a chance to reflect on the past, but I would also like the occasion to become an important landmark - for our future, for our path to new times".

The head of state underlined that almost 100 years after Poland's re-emergence - under Pilsudski's leadership - in 1918, "we are able to discuss the birth, development and decline of that inter-war Poland in a calmer, more objective fashion".

This also means today's generation is better able to draw on the experience of its predecessors from that era, the president added.

"We are learning from their successes", Andrzej Duda noted, "admiring their grand vision, their sweeping deeds, sacrificial conduct and courage - but, equally, we are studying their defeats, the inadequacies and all the lost opportunities".

"We are proceeding in this manner", the president continued, "because we are capable of gaining strength and inspiration from every twist of fate, of overcoming every difficulty - because we are a strong, proud and persistent nation".

"And never, ever do we give up", the head of state emphasised.

Andrzej Duda also called on the nation to use next year's independence centenary as an opportunity to renounce, once and for all, any lingering lack of faith in its own value and ability.

"Let us reject the false shame we have been conditioned for years to feel about our national history and identity", the president urged.

"Let there be no more of this sense of dependence", he added, "of this uncertainty as to whether we can proceed down our own path".

"We have had enough", the head of state went on to say, "of others telling us that we cannot afford to set our own goals and aspirations in a sovereign way".

"This is no way to direct Polish affairs", Andrzej Duda underscored.

Poland's 2018 independence centennial celebrations cannot be directed only towards the past, President Andrzej Duda said in his Tuesday address to the National Assembly comprising both parliamentary houses.

President Duda stressed that next year's centennial would be a good opportunity for Poles to take a closer look at themselves, and to reconsider their main goals, principles and values. He added that Poland should remain a loyal EU and NATO member, but as an independent and sovereign country.

"The centennial observations cannot be directed only at the past. This is an exceptional occasion for us to take a look at ourselves, and to reconsider the goals, principles and values we regard as the most important. Poland should remain a fully-fledged, loyal - but independent and sovereign - NATO and EU member", Andrzej Duda stated.

He added that ideas like independence, sovereignty and democracy needed to be constantly reformulated in today's fast-changing world.

Andrzej Duda also pointed to Poland's contribution to global security, among others through its membership of the UN Security Council and the Three Seas initiative of regional cooperation launched with Croatia. According to the president, the Poland of the future is being formed today.

"The Poland of the coming century, (a Poland - PAP) ready to tackle all the challenges of the modern era, is taking shape before our eyes", Andrzej Duda told the National Assembly. (PAP)